In my new capitalist experiment, using the best of the online options (well, that's what Etsy is for me), I would like to reinforce the belief that at least for some of us, "business" is not the best friend of originality. Certainly the business aspects are demanding. They also use the analytical side of the brain, which I would prefer to reserve for solving problems posed by creative challenges--that is, figuring out how to make things, rather than figuring out how to sell things.

The business-related problems are not all that interesting, at least, not yet? I doubt they ever will be. The ideas and the making, that's the point. Still, this discussion returns to the on-going conundrum: I see creativity as a good thing for society as well as for the maker. That is, it's okay to make things for yourself, to play music without feeling the need to perform (some of us introverts don't enjoy being on-stage in any capacity)--but part of the reason a lot of us make things is that we love doing it and we want others to love it too! Spread the joy.

Business does not have any joy. For me. So far. I am trying to keep everything entertaining--from the description of the items on Etsy, to the photography, to the marketing-y sorts of tasks. But I have to tell you, SEO and related have not yet proven to be fun puzzles. Nor has it been a party to become familiar with the ins and outs of Etsy-dom even though the site is very friendly and etsians are incredibly welcoming and open. And very supportive. At least for now, all I end up doing is learning as much as I can about whatever the current challenge is, then try to execute some variant of best practices. No originality involved.

And of course I know that every process has bits that aren't as rewarding as others. This is certainly true when following through the entire process of making things--parts are more fun than others. Just wish more of the business aspects were less like chores and more like something innately (to me) interesting.

I always end up with the Richard Feynman quote (which explains how I gutted it out for decades in the corporate environment): "Everything is interesting if you go into it deeply enough." Maybe I'll find a way to make the business aspects more interesting and less draining as I learn more? Or not. We'll see. I'm betting on "not."

Challenges faced today: set up an abbreviated facebook page (yes, askamarmot on facebook) and an askamarmot pinterest board. Also spent time trying to figure out how to post something to pinterest on a board I am following. That, plus no email all day (my isp site is down).

Phew. Tomorrow is for making things!

Today, someone reminded me of birds on large creatures--elephants, for example. Now that's a cool item to assemble!

Attribution: The adjacent image is from the US gov/fish wildlife service, so I know it is okay to post. Still trying to figure out copyright on images and attribution and all. I'd include one of my own photos, except that I've never seen or photographed said subject matter.

I'd have to say that a lot of the business aspects are pretty fun to me (that's not to say I'm good at them, mind) but they do take a huge chunk of time away from the creative aspect.

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Making, creating, understanding, and doing things that make you very, very happy are important to the universe. I have been thinking about this throughout my life--and so I figure I'll write about it now and see what happens.